Transportation in Chennai is well developed and takes place mainly by rail, road, and air. The road and rail networks of Chennai make the transport infrastructure of Chennai. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is one of the major tourist destinations of the country and draw millions of tourists every year from destinations worldwide. Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, nestled on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. Chennai can boast of being the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. Chennai is also an important administrative centre. The city of Chennai is well connected with all parts of India as well as with various other parts of the world. Chennai is also connected by road with the help of five national highways and two railway terminals.
Chennal is a cultural center with a vibrant theatre scene. Chennai hosts a number of big cultural events. Chennai is the land of world famous Bharatnatyam. Tamil movie industry, known as Kollywood is based in Chennai.
Air transportation in Chennai is well developed. Chennai is served by both domestic and international airport. In Chennai the two main airports are, the Anna International Airport and The Kamaraj Domestic Airport. The airports are located at a distance of 20 km from the city of Chennai.
Chennai International Airport is the major airport of the city and handles both domestic and international flights. Chennai is connected with large number major hubs in South East Asia, South Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. A large of international carriers offers to and fro service. Chennai is connected with different destinations of world by means of fifteen international carriers. Chennai is also the second busiest cargo terminus in the country. The Chennai International Airport is accessible by road and rail transport services. The other airports in Chennai include, the Indian Naval air base at Arakkonam and the Indian Air Force base at Tambaram.
An intense network of roads offers efficient transportation in Chennai. The road transport of Chennai comprises five national highways. The national highways lead to the adjacent cities of Bangalore, Kolkata, Pondicherry, Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), and Tiruvallur. The inter city and inter state bus services. The Tiruvallur Transport Corporation and J.J.Transport Corporation are the major parts of road transportation in Chennai. The two main bus stands, which serve the passengers of long distance, are, George Town called Express Bus Stand and Broadway. The Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) is an inter city bus stand and the largest bus stand in the whole South Asian region.
The inter city and inter state services in Chennai are provided by a total of seven government owned transport agencies provide. There is also provision of private bus service. Apart from the major bus stands in Chennai there are also many local bus stands, which are located in popular suburbs and tourist places in the city. The private enterprises offer deluxe and video coaches, which are convenient means of transport to get to the nearby cities.
Railways form an important means of transportation in Chennai. This majestic city well connected to the leading cities in India with the help of a wide network of railways. The main railheads in Chennai are Madras Central and Egmore.
The two main railway terminals of Chennai are, the Chennai Central station and Chennai Egmore. Chennai Central station is the largest railway station of the city which handles the trains to all the leading cities and towns in India. Chennai Egmore offers trans to cities and towns within Tamil Nadu.
To meet the future transport requirements in Chennai an underground cum elevated cum surface metro railway transport system has been planned which will definitely add to the transport facility in Chennai.
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